The north London club are currently seventh in the table and 12 points behind leaders United but, ever the optimist, Wenger feels a good run as the calendar year winds to a close can propel them back into the race.

Arsenal have played eight of their 14 matches to date away from home, but four of their six December fixtures are at the Emirates Stadium.

"At the moment the two Manchester sides (are ahead). They have not been spectacular but efficient, and they have made the maximum of the chances they have created," Sports24 quoted Wenger, as saying on the club's website.

"For example, Manchester United have already lost three games and have lost in the Champions League as well. It is exactly what we have done but they took more points and had less draws than we did. That has been the difference until now," he added.

"We will come back. Now we have six games, four at home, and if we do well in this block I think we have a chance to come back. But of course it is vital for us to do well in these games," he said.